Chris Lockwood, Europe editor for The Economist, and Tamara Jilks-Bohr, U.S. policy correspondent for The Economist, tackle the recent surge of hard-right parties in Europe's elections, especially its impact on Macron’s political strategy. They discuss the rising risk of populism and its implications for governance. The duo also dives into America's school absenteeism crisis, highlighting innovative community efforts to re-engage students. Lastly, they explore the quirky world of car naming and the cultural sensitivities brands face in the global market.
Significant victories for hard-right parties in French and German elections, prompting a snap election by Macron.
US schools tackling absences with high-impact tutoring and family engagement to reduce truancy rates.
Deep dives
European Parliamentary Elections in France and Germany
In the European Parliamentary elections, hard-right parties in France and Germany had significant victories, particularly the hard-right National Rally party in France surpassing Macron's party by a large margin. Despite these shifts to the right in these countries, other major European countries did not see a similar pattern, with a minimal increase in support for hard-right parties. Macron's unexpected defeat in the elections led to the dissolution of the French National Assembly, setting the stage for a reconfiguration of power dynamics.
Absence in Education Post-Pandemic in the US
Following prolonged school closures due to the pandemic, absenteeism in education significantly increased in the US, with about a quarter of students missing substantial periods of school. Various factors contributed to this prolonged absence, such as students opting for work, losing the habit of attending school, or lacking necessary support. Schools are implementing strategies to re-engage students, including incentives and support programs to address the challenges faced by both students and parents.
Addressing Absenteeism through Interventions
Schools are adopting targeted interventions to address absenteeism, such as high-impact tutoring sessions to enhance engagement and attendance rates. By leveraging data-driven approaches to identify at-risk students and focusing on their specific needs, schools like Manzano High School in Albuquerque have successfully reduced absenteeism rates. Establishing strong relationships with students and families, coupled with addressing basic needs, emerges as a crucial strategy in combating absenteeism effectively.
Hard-right parties did well in Europe's parliamentary elections—so well in France that President Emmanuel Macron called a risky snap election. Elsewhere, though, the political centre held. We examine the policies that are getting America’s many chronically truant students back in school (9:13). And the delicate business of naming a new car (16:42).